Maple Candied Spiced Pecans
My favorite snacks for a cocktail party? Maple Candied Spiced Pecans with a hint of Cajun spice and sea salt. These sweet bites with the slightest bit of heat are the perfect mix for just about any beverage: from beer to seltzer with lime, they complement any cocktail hour!
Pecans are quickly becoming one of my favorite nuts to cook with. They are delicious in salads like my Radicchio Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette and I also love pecans in my Baked Oatmeal recipe as an alternative to walnuts. And of course my husband’s favorite, Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie.
Table of contents
Fun facts about pecans
- The United States grows about 80% of all pecans with about 1000 varieties.
- Pecans thrive in warmer climates, Texas and Georgia grow most of the crops.
- The pecan is a North American species: initially found in the American South, southcentral states, and Mexico.
- Pecans are a great source of monounsaturated fat, protein, and fiber.
- Pecan trees take 2-5 years to start producing.
An easy recipe for Spiced candied pecans
This sweet and savory pecan recipe is just a few simple ingredients and they will be your new favorite snack to have on hand and serve for busy holidays. You can easily double and triple the recipe to make a big batch for larger gatherings or share a batch in a container to take home. They are delicious and perfectly seasoned. I like to add Cajun seasoning to mine that adds some depth of flavor with the slightest bit of heat.
Ingredients for Maple Candied Spiced Pecans
- 1 cup of raw pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons of pure Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar (white)
- 1/4 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt
How to bake the pecans
You will need a cookie sheet, parchment paper or nonstick silicone cookie sheet liner (Silpat), and a small bowl.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss well. Ensure that all pecans are evenly covered with the sugar, maple syrup, and seasonings.
Pour the pecan mixture onto the lined cookie sheet and ensure that the pecans are evenly distributed. Bake for 5-7 minutes. Make sure you check the nuts at 5 minutes to ensure the nuts don’t burn. Depending on the heat intensity of the oven, you may need an extra minute.
Remove from oven and carefully remove the parchment paper or Silpat from the cookie sheet so the Maple Candied Spiced Pecans stop baking.
Allow to cool. Top with a pinch of sea salt and serve warm.
How to store leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers or you make a big batch to share with others, allow the pecans to completely cool. Once completely cooled, place them in a small jar with a lid or anything other type of lidded container. If you want to share these, they are lovely in a cellophane bag with ribbon or decorative jars as gifts.
For more small bites and snacks, check out all of our delicious, small bites recipes!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, walnuts, almonds, and cashews are wonderful in this recipe.
Yes. The overall flavor will be less sweet than using white sugar.
I recommend using pure or organic Maple syrup for the flavor and consistency. Imitation maple syrup is maple-flavored sugar or high fructose corn syrup and the result will be different.
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Maple Candied Spiced Pecans
December 28, 2023Equipment
- 1 rimmed baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper or silicon baking mat (Silpat)
- 1 bowl small
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons pure Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sugar, granulated white
- 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon sea salt course
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss well. Ensure that all pecans are evenly covered with the sugar, maple syrup, and seasonings.
- Pour the pecan mixture onto the lined cookie sheet and ensure that the pecans are evenly distributed. Bake for 5-6 minutes.
- Make sure you check the nuts at 5 minutes to ensure the nuts don't burn. Depending on the heat intensity of the oven, you may need an extra minute.
- Remove from oven and carefully remove the parchment paper or Silpat from the cookie sheet so the Maple Candied Spiced Pecans stop baking.
- Allow to cool. Top with a pinch of sea salt and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
